South Florida is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the country, and many people own vacation homes in the area. Vacation homes often sit unoccupied for months at a time, sowe at Accredited Lock and Hardware would like to share some sound advice on how to secure a vacation home. Whether you're looking for a locksmith in Deerfield Beach, a locksmith in Fort Lauderdale, a locksmith in Weston, a locksmith in North Palm Beach, ora locksmith in Wellington Manor, we service homes in all of these areas. These areas are five of the most common vacation home spots, and our locksmiths are offering some very practical advice based on what they have experienced through the years.

One thing is certain, simply locking the doors to a vacation home is simply not secure enough. Below, you will find five tips for securing your home. Whether you pick and choose between a few or utilize all of them, our locksmiths agree that they can drastically reduce the chances that your home becomes a target for thieves.

Step One: Install High Security Locks

Having one simple pin and tumbler lock securing your front door is not enough of a deterrent for intruders. Our locksmiths always stress the importance of high security locks, such as Medeco Locks or bump proof locks, both of which are resistant to picking. At the very least, homeowners should use a combination of locks, and include a deadbolt on all doors.

Step Two: Consider an Alarm System

Unfortunately, we have seen too many homes that were broken into go unnoticed for months. This left the home wide open for more intruders to enter, bringing the losses to a devastating total. Installing an alarm system can alert homeowners to unwanted intruders, by having the alarm company patch calls to their cell phones while alerting police of a break-in.

Step 3: Make Sure the Home Appears to Be Lived in Full Time

Letting a vacation home sit empty for months can turn it into a target for any would-be thief that may have their eyes on it, so don't let strangers know that the house is sitting unattended. Lights and televisions that are on a timer are a great way to give the illusion that the house is being occupied. Ensuring that the yard is well maintained is another necessary precaution, since this is the area of the house that catches attention first. Cancelling newspaper subscriptions and having mail forwarded to a p.o. box can also prevent the home from looking obviously unoccupied.

Step 4: Have Someone You Trust Check on The Property
Asking a trusted family member or neighbor to check on the property periodically can help property owners feel safe and secure. They can rest assured knowing that if anything were to happen, they would know about it sooner than they would if they were to discover it upon arriving at the home after months of being away. In the event that you don't have family in the area, we suggest hiring a caretaker, which is quite common.

Step 5: Have the Property Assessed for Security

We would like to offer you one final piece of advice: Have a locksmith go through the property to recommend the best approach to securing your vacation home from the outside. While many homeowners may feel that their property is as safe and secure as it could be, locksmiths have a trained eye for weak spots found around properties. They often point out vulnerable areas that most people would never consider, so hiring a trained locksmith to assess the property is a key step in securing your vacation home.

Whether you're looking for a locksmith in North Palm Beach, a locksmith in Wellington Manor, a locksmith in Weston, a locksmith in Deerfield Beach, or a locksmith in Fort Lauderdale contact Accredited Lock and Hardware today for a free vacation home evaluation.